12/12/2005 - A Rare Find Indeed

The fish that I found at Marineland, previously described as a Pacific Spadefish has now been possibly identified as a rare fish from Hawaii, the Barred Knifejaw, Oplegnathus fasciatus. John Moore has been a big help in identifying this fish along with the SIO marine vertebrates collections guys. I don't know what the chances are of finding it again, and they would prefer that someone spear it so they can study it. I think I'll take my camera back to Marineland tomorrow after work and hope for the best.
http://www.hawaiisfishes.com/fishes/hanauma/oplegnathus_fasciatus.htm